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Inventory of the Richard Blackstone Military Papers
008
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Title: Richard Blackstone military papers,
Date (inclusive): 1863-1925
Collection number: 008
Creator:
Blackstone, Richard
Extent:
2 document boxes, 1 oversize box, 1 flat file
Repository:
Loyola Marymount University. Library. Department of Archives and Special Collections
Los Angeles, California 90045-8200
Abstract: The Richard Blackstone Military Papers consist of materials related to the life of Richard Blackstone, especially his service
in the Ohio Volunteer Infantry, 32nd Regiment, in the Civil War.
Physical location: Collection stored offsite. Research use requires both an advance notice of intent to use the collection and an appointment.
To schedule an appointment, please contact the Department of Archives and Special Collection, William H. Hannon Library, Loyola
Marymount University: 310-338-2780, 310-338-5357.
Language:
English.
Collection is open to research under the terms of use of the Department of Archives and Special Collections, Loyola Marymount
University.
Materials in the Department of Archives and Special Collections may be subject to copyright. Unless explicitly stated otherwise,
Loyola Marymount University does not claim ownership of the copyright of any materials in its collections. The user or publisher
must secure permission to publish from the copyright owner. Loyola Marymount University does not assume any responsibility
for infringement of copyright or of publication rights held by the original author or artists or his/her heirs, assigns, or
executors.
Richard Blackstone Military Papers, Collection 008, Department of Archives and Special Collections, William H. Hannon Library,
Loyola Marymount University.
The source of acquistion is unknown.
Richard Blackstone (1843-1922), born October 16, 1843 in Fayette County, Pennsylvania, entered the United States military
service at the age of 20, enlisting in the Ohio Volunteer Infantry, 32nd Regiment. He remained with this regiment until his
honorable discharge in 1865 at the end of the Civil War. Blackstone, stating his occupation as farmer, first enlisted in
1861 and joined the 32nd Regiment during its original organization in Mansfield, Ohio. Re-enlisting as a Veteran Volunteer
in 1863, he was promoted to 2nd Lieutenant on March 29, 1864 and then to 1st Lieutenant just five months later. In June of
1865 Richard Blackstone received his final promotion to Captain. He retained this rank until his discharge from service on
July 27, 1865.
During the war, the 32nd Regiment of the Ohio Volunteer Infantry advanced against Greenbrier, Virginia and was engaged in
watching the maneuvers of the rebel army, commanded by General Robert E. Lee. Subsequently, the 32nd Regiment participated
in the capture of Camp Allegheny, Huntersville, Monterey and McDowell. The 32nd Regiment then participated heavily in the
Battles of Cross Keys and Port Republic. In 1862 the Regiment was called to assist in the defense of Harper's Ferry, where
150 of its men were lost and the rest became prisoners of war. The 32nd Regiment was eventually paroled, sent to Annapolis
and from there traveled to Chicago. By December 1862, under the command of B. F. Potts, the 32nd Regiment of the Ohio Volunteer
Infantry, numbering 800 soldiers, had been reconstituted. The regiment was then ordered to Memphis and reported to Major
General U.S. Grant. Subsequently, the 32nd took part in the campaign against Vicksburg and the Battles of Port Gibson, Raymond,
Jackson, and Champion Hills. In June 1864, the men of the 32nd joined General Sherman in Georgia and participated in his
March to the Sea.
The 32nd regiment of the Ohio Volunteer Army entered the field of battle in September 1861 with 950 men. During the course
of the war, 1600 recruits joined it. At muster-out, only 565 men remained. The 32nd Regiment both recruited and lost more
men than any other Ohio Regiment.
After the Civil War, Richard Blackstone relocated to Central City, South Dakota, where he joined the Homestake Mining Company
in 1878. Initially, he worked as a surveyor, then as chief engineer, participating in such projects as the construction of
the Black Hills and Fort Pierre Railroad. Blackstone served as chief engineer for more than 33 years, after which he was
appointed assistant superintendent and eventually superintendent.
Blackstone died December 21, 1922, leaving a son, Alex, and daughter, Louise. Alex was born June 1, 1875 and fathered one
son, James, who was born January 25, 1915.
Scope and Content of Collection
The Richard Blackstone Military Papers consist of diaries, muster roles, discharge papers, military certificates, correspondence,
photographs and negatives, dating from 1863 until 1925.
The Richard Blackstone Military Papers have been divided into three series: Series 1: Papers; Series 2: Photographs (Prints);
Series 3: Photographs (Negatives)
The following terms have been used to index the description of this collection in
the library's online public access catalog.
United States--History--Civil War, 1861-1865
Ohio--History--Civil War, 1861-1865
Blackstone, Richard, 1843-1922
Homestake Mining Company
Blackstone, Alexander J.